Improvement in wringing-machine clamps



I. COPELAND.

, Wrnging-Maohne-Olamp.

No. 217,447, Patented July 1 5, 1879.

i Hllillll` Illlllllll UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

IRA COPELAND, OF BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN WRINGING-MACHINE CLAMPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 217,447, dated July 15, 1879; application filed December 2, 1878.

essentially, of peculiarly-constructed shields to prevent the clamping set-screws from injuring the tub or sink, at the same time givinga trm hold, said shields being attached to the machine by means of flexible shanks fastened `midway between the end pieces of the in achine.

The. two shields with their two Shanks and,

points of attachment are made from oblong strip of thin spring metal.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of my clamp. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective view, showing one end of the clamping-strip, together with the bifurcated portion of one of the end pieces of the wringer, while the other end is shown free from the wringer,so as to show its structure.

In the drawings, H, Figs. l and 2, represents a section of a tub or otherjreceptacle. This may be curved, as shown, or it may be a single v straight, as my flexible shank and shield are adapted to b oth forms.

C, Figs. l, 2, 3, is a strip of sheet spring metal, formed as shown, and provided with slots d d at the ends, through which the thumbscrews D D' pass, as shown. This strip O is employed as a medium of attachment for the clamping-strip E, Figs. 2 and 3the two being fastened together at their centers, as shown at c c, Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

E, Figs. 2 and 3, represents the clampingstrip, consisting of the two shields E' E',with their shanks, said Shanks serving to connect the two shields to the supporting device.

E' E', Figs. 2 and 3, represent the shields,

while the intervening portion of the strip E represents their combined shanks.

A A', Figs. 1, 2,and 3, represent the lower portions of the two end pieces of the wringer. B B', Figs. 2'and 3, represent the bifurcations of the end pieces, which receive the edge of the tub or sink.

In constructing the shield portions of the clamping-strip E, the oblong strip of spring` metal, when properly heated,is folded back upon itself at the ends in such a manner as to form a tubular fold and a closely-laminated seat for the set-screw 'at each end.

Without doubling this sheet of spring metal E, under the combined action of the screw on one side and the wood of the tub on the other, would soon become swag'ed into conformity to the end of the screw, andwould present a small bearing-surface to the tub, which would mar it and hold far less ett'ectually.

The shank portion ofthe strip E should he single, (or ofa character easily dellected,)in order to give that degree of flexibility requi site to allow the shield portions to be easily brought into proper position on the variouslyformed tubs and sinks,which,in caseofstraightsided ones, necessitates a compound curve 7in the shank, rst toward and then from the sink.

In attaching the strip E to the wringer, the shield portions are placed in the bifurcations of the end pieces with the reflex portions in contact with the inner ends of the thnmhscrews, while the central portion is sprung somewhat forward of the line of the inside edge of the legs of the machine, and there fastened to a suitable support, so that when affixed to the machine said strip is always under more orless tension, which tension causes the shields to remain always ill contact with the ends of the thumb-screws, and to'follow their motions forth and back within the bifurcations.

The strip C illustrates the support for the clamping-strip E. Itismadeof flexible spring metal, soithat it may be forced forward suftciently to bring the strip E outside of al tub of sharp curvature.

I claim-` The spring-metal tension clamping-strip E, provided with re-enforced or duplex shield portions E' E', in combination with the end pieces A A', thumbscrews D D', and a springmetal supporting-strip, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

IRA OOPELAN D.

Witnesses WILLIAM EDsoN, AUGUSTUS ANDREWS. 

